Churchill and FDR

By Kayla Webley

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill's bond knew no boundaries. Once, while Churchill was staying at the White House, Roosevelt stopped by his room for a chat. The Prime Minister opened his door in the buff and said, "You see, Mr. President, I have nothing to hide from you." FDR took the flashing in jest, laughing with his aide later and saying, "He's pink and white all over."

The famous duo, who shared a mutual love of tobacco, strong drink, battleships and history, would spearhead the Allied powers' fight in World War II. During the course of the war, the pair met face to face nine times. Their mutual trust and values led to the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the U.S. to assist its friend with weapons without formally entering the war, and the so-called Atlantic Charter, which served as the informal blueprint for the end of the war. Roosevelt wrote after one such meeting, "It is fun to be in the same decade with you."

The two remained close until FDR's death in 1945. Churchill later wrote, "I felt I was in contact with a very great man, who was also a warm-hearted friend, and the foremost champion of the high causes which we served."